Change your commute to lose weight

Friday May 8th, 2015

Using public transport, walking, or cycling to get to work could help commuters to lose weight within a couple of years, according to a study published today.

Published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health today (8 May 2015), the research shows switching from a car to walking, cycling, or using public transport, saw individuals lose an average of one kilogramme each – a reduction in BMI of 0.32 kg/m2.

The observational study – based on the responses of 4,000 people who took part in the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) in 2004-5, 2005-6, and 2006-7 – was undertaken by a research team led by University of East Anglia.

Respondents were asked to describe their usual main mode of transport for their daily commute, and to provide details of their height and weight (BMI) in 2004-5 and in 2006-7.

The researchers used a series of analyses to see if changes in mode of transport were linked to changes in weight over a two-year period.

In the first analysis, which included 3,269 respondents, 179 people had stopped driving to work and were either walking or cycling (109) or taking public transport (70).

Those who had switched tended to be younger, have a lower household income, a shorter commute and were less likely to have access to a car. Those who opted for public transport were significantly more likely to be more highly educated.

The researchers found that switching was associated with an average reduction in BMI of 0.32 kg/m2.

However, the longer the commute, the stronger the association with weight loss, the researchers say.

The second analysis included 787 people, 156 of whom had stopped walking or cycling and 112 who had exchanged public transport for the car.

Those who stopped walking or cycling to work were significantly less likely to be in a managerial or professional post than those who stopped using public transport. They also tended, on average, to have a shorter commute.

Switching to a car was linked to weight gain of about one kilogramme per person.

The researchers say that although no definitive conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, the changes within individual in BMI between the two groups of switchers supports their findings.

If a larger proportion of commuters were able to switch their cars for a more physically active commute, it could help to reduce the average population BMI, they suggest.

“Combined with other potential health, economic, and environmental benefits associated with walking, cycling and public transport, these findings add to the case for interventions to promote the uptake of these more sustainable forms of transport,” they conclude.

Martin A, Panter J et al. Impact of changes in mode of travel to work on changes in body mass index: evidence from the British Household Panel Survey. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health 8 May 2015; doi 10.1136/jech-2014-205211 [abstract]

Tags: Fitness | Traveller Health | UK News

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